A power supply device includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert an input voltage into an output voltage, a controller, and an output switch. The controller is coupled to the power conversion circuit and configured to control the power conversion circuit to generate the output voltage for causing electrical coalescence of a multi-phase liquid mixture when the output voltage is applied to the multi-phase liquid mixture. The output switch is coupled between an output of the power conversion circuit and a terminal of the power supply device. The output switch is switchable among a first position at which the output of the power conversion circuit is coupled to the terminal, a second position at which the output of the power conversion circuit is grounded, and a third position at which the output of the power conversion circuit is electrically isolated from the terminal and the ground.

A process train for a floating production storage and offloading installation includes a crude oil storage tank equipped with at least one set of electrostatic internals. The set of electrostatic internals are arranged to provide a treatment flow path within the crude oil storage tank oblique to a longitudinal centerline of the crude oil storage tank and through an electric field provided by the set of electrostatic internals. Employing these electrostatic internals within the tank permits an allowable inlet water content into the tank of up to 80%, significantly reducing the required topside processing equipment. The process and system also includes, upstream of the tank, two separator vessels arranged in parallel so each receives a portion of an incoming oil-and-water stream, a flash vessel arranged downstream of the two separator vessels, and a degasser vessel. Downstream of the crude oil storage tank is an electrostatic treater.

A system and method for dehydrating crude oil on a floating production storage and offloading installation include a separator vessel to receive an incoming produced water stream, followed by a flash vessel, a treatment block, a crude oil storage tank, and an electrostatic treater. The treatment block includes a low pressure degasser followed by a compact electrostatic separator pre-treater or a compact electrostatic separator pre-treater followed by a low pressure degasser. The flash vessel and/or the low pressure degasser may employ an inlet cyclonic distributor and demisting cyclones, while the electrostatic treater may employ DUAL FREQUENCY? technology. The separator vessel may be a single horizontal two-phase separator/degasser or two vertical two-phase separator/degassers that operate in parallel with each receiving approximately 50 percent of the incoming produced water stream. The final outlet stream preferably contains no more than 0.5 BS&W and 285 milligrams per liter salt.

A process train for a floating production storage and offloading installation includes a crude oil storage tank that is equipped with at least one electrostatic separator configured to subject the produced stream that enters the tank to an electric field. The electrostatic separator may include two inclined vessels containing electrostatic internals and in fluid communication with one another. Employing electrostatic separators within the tank can permit an allowable inlet water content into the tank of up to 80%, significantly reducing the required topside processing equipment.

Electrical separators employing detection of conductive fluid excursions are described herein. A separator of this type has a separator, comprising a separation vessel; an electric field assembly extending a first distance within the separation vessel in a first direction of a density-based separation force; a plurality of detector electrodes extending a second distance within the separation vessel in the first direction; one or more power units; and one or more circuits electrically coupling the electric field electrodes and the detector electrodes with the one or more power units.

Certain embodiments may generally relate to systems and methods for developing and improving compact electrocoalescers for in-line dehydration of water-in-oil dispersions. A compact electrocoalescer may include a casing, and a plurality of bare or insulated conical-shaped electrodes housed in the casing. The electrodes may include a metal mesh structure. The electrodes may also be truncated at the apex, and alternatively connected to a power supply and ground. The electrodes may further be stacked in a manner such that at least one electrode is at least partially nested within at least another electrode.

Embodiments discussed herein relate to systems and methods for separating two or more phases of an emulsion or other mixture. The methods include providing the mixture with a net and unipolar charge (e.g., such that adjacent droplets therein acquire net and unipolar charges), thereby enhancing coalescence of like-phase droplets therein and producing, or enhancing the production of, two or more consolidated phases; and collecting the two or more consolidated phases.

A fuel filter device for an internal combustion engine may include a ring filter element separating a raw side from a clean side. A water separator configured as an electric coalescer may be arranged on the clean side for separating water from the fuel. The electric coalescer may include at least two electrodes arranged coaxially with respect to the filter axis, and at least one of the electrodes may be insulated from the fuel.

A method for coalescing a disperse phase component in a primarily gas process fluid includes passing the process fluid through a structure. The structure includes an outer wall with an electrically insulating material formed on an entire inner surface of the outer wall to define an entirely insulated flow path for receiving the process fluid and the flow path is free of any portion of the structure. A plurality of planar, spaced-apart electrode plates is positioned within the entirely insulated flow path and positioned substantially parallel to one another and substantially the entirety of each of the plurality of electrode plates is coated with an insulative material. At least one insulating member disposed in a space between and spaced apart from two adjacent electrode plates. A power source is applied to the electrode plates to generate an electrical field to coalesce droplets of the disperse phase component.

A system and method for dehydrating crude oil on a floating production storage and offloading installation include a separator vessel to receive an incoming produced water stream, followed by a flash vessel, a treatment block, a crude oil storage tank, and an electrostatic treater. The treatment block includes a low pressure degasser followed by a compact electrostatic separator pre-treater or a compact electrostatic separator pre-treater followed by a low pressure degasser. The flash vessel and/or the low pressure degasser may employ an inlet cyclonic distributor and demisting cyclones, while the electrostatic treater may employ DUAL FREQUENCY? technology. The separator vessel may be a single horizontal two-phase separator/degasser or two vertical two-phase separator/degassers that operate in parallel with each receiving approximately 50 percent of the incoming produced water stream. The final outlet stream preferably contains no more than 0.5 BS&W and 285 milligrams per liter salt.